When we think of the prophets we tend to think of men like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Elijah, and for good reason. Their work in the service of God is renown to us, as it was during the time of the first century (cf. Matt. 16:14). But Scripture describes the work of many prophets of old. Some worked in palaces and some among the people. Some wrote, some did not. Some worked for many years, some for just a short time. And a few did their work anonymously.
In 1 Samuel 2, 1 Kings 13, and 1 Kings 20 we read about 3 men simply referred to as “a man of God” and “a man of the sons of the prophets.” Though their work does not occupy major real estate in God’s Word there is still much to be learned from them.
The most obvious lesson to be gleaned from all three is that the world does not need to know your name. How challenging it is in a culture like ours to be willing to work without recognition. And yet, that is exactly the kind of attitude called for in servants of God. Paul wrote, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Phil. 2:3). Think of the countless number of Saints who have left their mark here on earth in ways which we will never know this side of eternity. We may not know their names, but God does, and that’s enough. Remember the refrain of Hebrews 6:10–“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name….”
A second lesson to be learned from these prophets is the importance of proclaiming God’s Word with clarity. In each account we find the statement, “Thus says the Lord” followed by a clear description of exactly what the Lord said. One who speaks God’s Word must do so in completeness and clarity. Peter said, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). Paul said, “Preach the word!” (2 Tim. 4:2), and indeed he did (cf. Acts 20:27)! Though there are no prophets today, every preacher puts himself in the position of speaking on behalf of God. It is a sacred trust that must be taken seriously (Jas. 3:1). Like the prophets, we must preach the Word with clarity. We must not preach philosophy or opinions, and we must not preach in question marks.
Consider also the courage displayed by each of these prophets. A man of God spoke to God’s High Priest and informed him that his sons would die and his house would be cut off (1 Sam. 2). Another man of God stood before a king to rebuke him for his rebellion against the Lord (1 Kings 13). And a man of the sons of the prophets surprised wicked Ahab with news that his life would be required because of his league with Ben-Hadad the Syrian (1 Kings 20). What courage it takes to go before a man of power and confront him with truth, and yet these men did just that. Second Timothy 1:7 comes to mind–“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” We may not confront kings in 21st century America, but we confront a culture just as wicked as that of old. We must summon the same kind of courage displayed in God’s prophets.
A final lesson to consider is the need to remain faithful. First Kings 13:11-34 is one of the most curious sections of scripture in the Old Testament. We are introduced to another anonymous prophet described only as “an old prophet” (1 Kings 13:11). This old prophet deceived the man of God who stood boldly before Jeroboam, and it ended in the young prophets death. First Kings 13:26 describes the situation by saying, “It is the man of God who was disobedient to the word of the Lord.” Though there are many thoughts and questions provoked by the context, one point that must be remembered is the importance of life-long faithfulness. The man of God had done great work for the Lord in confronting Jeroboam, but that work did not save him from future disobedience. Likewise, it is not our faithfulness yesterday that matters, but our faithfulness today, tomorrow, and into the future. Remember the question asked of the Galatian Saints–“You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?”
Much more could be said about these prophets. May we continue to study their lives and learn from them. That we may be better fit for the service of God.